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My stomach twisted in knots at the revelation. “She did?”

“Yes, but I stopped her, because that was what I thought you wanted. Althea hasn’t given up trying to contact you, just like you haven’t with Rafaela.”

I wished I didn’t believe it, but I knew Althea well enough not to doubt it. The one time she had showed up at Imeria, unannounced, I’d banished her in a fit of panic of what she’d find.

I turned away from Erix, defeated. “I’d prefer Althea hated me for my treatment of her, than tangling her up in this web of shit. This shouldn’t be her issue to solve when she has an entire court, and soon to be a wife, to be concerned about. Duncan is my issue, he ismyresponsibility.”

“Ours, little bird. Ours. In fact, the world’s issue if you cannot solve it,” Erix corrected, laying a hand on my folded arm. “I am here now, with you. And not going anywhere, just as Duncan asked of me.”

“Then how do you expect me to leave, and you to stay if that is directly going against Duncan’s wishes?”

Erix was too quick to hide his hesitation. “We will figure it out. Duncan will be fine with me. Anything you need me to do, I will. No questions. If it means you get the chance to try and help him, I–”

“I can’t go, because I can’t leave you either,” I interrupted, hardly putting thought into the admission as it flooded out of me. “There you go. Happy now my admission is out in the open?”

“Not at all.” Erix hesitated, letting my words settle over him like ash.

My heat thundered in my chest with such vigour I was sure Erix heard it. He stepped in close, reaching for my hand and holding it. “We will find another way then.”

“There is no other way.”

Erix shook his head, refusing my statement. “Do you trust me?”

“I do,” I said after a moment, unable to look at him, frightened at the emotion I’d find. “Because Duncan does.”

“Then that is good enough for me.” Erix folded the invitation and handed it back to me. “I will inform Eroan that we will be leaving for Lockinge. In the meantime, I will prepare measures to see that Duncan is well cared for–”

“Hold on, I haven’t agreed!”

“You do not need to, little bird. I am deciding for you. Hand over some of that mental burden before you’re crushed beneath it. That is what I am here for, allow me to do my job.”

“Didn’t you hear the part about me not wanting to leave you either?”

Erix nodded. “I did. We are going together.”

“Duncan–”

“Willbe in safe hands.”

I opened my mouth, gasping for breath. “We can’t tell anyone, you know that.”

“What did you just say about trusting me?” Erix asked, closing the space between us with another step. “I think you have forgotten that I have taken over my father’s creations. The gryvern do as I command. If I want them to practise silence, they will do so.”

His gryvern, the soldiers he’d offered to me to help protect Icethorn whilst we rebuilt. “Is that wise?”

“I believe so,” Erix replied. “They are loyal to you, becauseIam loyal to you. You and Duncan. Hear that, little bird. And heed it.”

A shiver passed over my skin at the use of my nickname. I’d once hated it, now it was all I longed to hear. “If we do this, we cannot tell Rafaela about Duncan. She will kill him if it means destroying Duwar… I must inquire carefully.”

“I swear to you that I won’t let anything happen to him.” Erix’s sudden seriousness knocked the wind from my lungs. “Or you, for that matter.”

I believed him.

Erix was as convincing as he always had been. Once and always my pillar, offering me the support, the very support I’d craved since Duncan and Duwar merged.

I almost felt guilty for keeping myrealplan from Erix. There was nothing he could say or do that would make me divulge the truth. When the time came for it, I hoped he’d forgive me. Even though I know, if the tables were turned, I’d never be able to forgive him.

But if it meant saving Duncanandthe world, then I knew what I had to do. And the answers Rafaela had would only confirm it.